Jelly Express

Jelly Express is a charming physics-based co-op platformer where players control wobbly jelly-like characters who must stretch, jump, and wiggle their way through levels to deliver packages. With a focus on cooperative gameplay, players can tackle puzzles and obstacles alone or with a partner, making it a fun and engaging experience for both solo and multiplayer fans.

Jelly Express: Review

Introduction

In the vibrant and often chaotic landscape of cooperative gaming, few titles manage to capture the sheer, unadulterated joy of shared problem-solving quite like Jelly Express. Released on October 1, 2023, by Chinese developer xxgamestudio and published by Playworks, this 2D physics-platformer has quickly carved out a niche as a charming, if occasionally frustrating, ode to teamwork. At its core, Jelly Express tasks players with guiding two gelatinous protagonists—cute, wobbly “jellies”—as they navigate treacherous terrain to deliver packages, balancing precariously atop a board strapped to their heads. Despite its simple premise, the game has earned a “Very Positive” reception on Steam (82% of 128+ reviews) and sold over 20,000 copies within nine months, signaling a cult following. This review argues that Jelly Express succeeds as a masterclass in co-op chaos, blending whimsical artistry with innovative physics, yet stumbles under inconsistent level design and technical hiccups. Its legacy lies in redefining casual cooperative play, proving that sometimes, the best adventures are the messiest.

Development History & Context

xxgamestudio, a female-led team based in Hangzhou, China, developed Jelly Express with a clear vision: to create a physics-based game that celebrated teamwork through accessible, low-stakes fun. The studio’s portfolio—prior titles include PilotXross and Shadowless—reflects a dedication to casual, bite-sized experiences, but Jelly Express marked their first foray into co-op mechanics. Built on Unity and leveraging Wwise for audio, the game was constrained by its 2D side-scrolling framework, yet the developers maximized these limitations by focusing on fluid physics and responsive controls.

The 2023 gaming landscape was ripe for such a title. Local co-op was experiencing a renaissance, fueled by titles like It Takes Two, while indie physics-platformers (Humanity, Pizza Tower) were gaining critical acclaim. Jelly Express capitalized on this momentum by participating in Steam Next Fest 2023, where a 45-minute demo showcasing the first eight levels generated buzz. The game’s release on Windows and macOS (with Linux support added later) positioned it as a flexible, family-friendly option, targeting players seeking lighthearted, couch-based multiplayer. Its $6.99 launch price—discounted to 15%—further underscored its accessibility, aligning with Playworks’ mission to connect indie games with broader audiences.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Jelly Express’s narrative is intentionally minimalist, serving as a backdrop for its gameplay rather than a driving force. Players assume the role of two jellies “on the brink of adulthood” embarking on a delivery quest across Jellyland, a world of five biomes (gardens, beaches, caves, rainforests, and gem halls). The plot unfolds through environmental storytelling: crumbling ruins, festive decorations (e.g., Halloween and Christmas updates), and cryptic treasure maps hint at a larger lore, but dialogue is virtually nonexistent. This absence allows the gameplay mechanics to take center stage, emphasizing the jellies’ silent resilience.

Thematically, the game champions teamwork as survival. The jellies lack individual agency; their success hinges on synchronized stretches, jumps, and weight distribution to keep parcels intact. This mirrors real-world cooperation, where miscommunication leads to spilled packages (and penalties), while coordination unlocks rewards. The hat-unlock system (over 30 accessories) adds a layer of playful self-expression, reinforcing the theme of personal growth amid shared challenges. However, the narrative’s simplicity is a double-edged sword: while it avoids overcomplicating the experience, it leaves the jellies as archetypal “buddies” rather than developed characters, their charm deriving from their physics-based antics rather than depth.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

At its heart, Jelly Express revolves around a single, deceptively complex mechanic: balancing packages on a headboard while traversing obstacle courses. Players control one jelly each, using stretchy limbs to reach platforms, jump over gaps, and nudge parcels. The physics engine creates emergent chaos—a box might teeter precariously after a misstep, forcing players to improvise solutions like wiggling to dislodge hazards or using water bottles to douse fires. This core loop is brilliantly innovative, turning every level into a physics puzzle where failure feels organic and success, euphoric.

Combat is reimagined as environmental hazard avoidance: players dodge bees, evade bee-dogs, and navigate spinning hamster wheels. Character progression is cosmetic, with hats unlocked through play or seasonal events (e.g., Lunar New Year and winter hats). The UI is clean but functional, with a health bar for parcels and a condition meter affecting rewards. However, flaws emerge in level design. Some puzzles, particularly in the Gem Hall and Fearless Jungle, feel trial-and-error, exacerbated by finicky hit detection and save-point placement. The 70+ levels span diverse biomes, but difficulty spikes inconsistently, with early tutorials feeling overly hand-holding while later levels demand pixel-perfect timing.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Jellyland is a triumph of whimsical world-building. Each biome is meticulously crafted with hand-drawn visuals: beach levels feature pastel oceans and coral reefs, while garden zones bristle with oversized flowers and Rube Goldberg-esque machinery. The jellies themselves are masterpieces of design—translucent, quivering blobs with expressive eyes—their gelatinous bodies creating satisfying squash-and-stretch animations during movement. This art style, paired with vibrant color palettes, evokes a storybook aesthetic, turning obstacles like spike pits or conveyor belts into playful challenges rather than threats.

Sound design complements the visuals perfectly. Wwise’s implementation delivers a lighthearted score, with plucky xylophone tracks during exploration and triumphant fanfares on delivery. Sound effects amplify the physics chaos—squeaks for jumps, splashes for water, and cracks when parcels shatter. However, audio cues for hazards (e.g., bee-dog growls) are sometimes muffled, requiring visual reliance. The absence of voice acting is a deliberate choice, enhancing the game’s silent, universal appeal. Together, art and sound transform Jellyland into a tactile, inviting world where every wobble and jiggle feels intentional.

Reception & Legacy

Upon release, Jelly Express was met with cautious optimism. Critics praised its “ludieke” (playful) co-op spirit but noted frustration with puzzle design. Gameplay (Benelux) lamented that “puzzles and level design lead too often to frustration,” while Steam users celebrated its “chaotic fun” and “cute fashion.” The game’s post-launch support revitalized its reputation: free seasonal updates (Halloween, Christmas, Lunar New Year) added levels and hats, while patches optimized performance and corrected bugs (e.g., save-point glitches). By June 2024, sales surpassed 20,000 copies, and the Steam community ballooned, fueled by Discord engagement and player-generated content.

Legacy-wise, Jelly Express has influenced the co-op genre by prioritizing physics-based collaboration over combat or narrative. Its emphasis on “better with friend” gameplay nods to Steam Awards nominations, and its success demonstrates a market for accessible, bite-sized co-op experiences. However, it hasn’t revolutionized the industry; instead, it occupies a niche alongside titles like Overcooked! and Unspottable, proving that chaotic teamwork remains a enduring appeal. The game’s active developer—xxgamestudio continues to engage players with updates—suggests a lasting cult status, even if it remains a footnote in 2023’s “year of the indie.”

Conclusion

Jelly Express is a paradox: a game of profound simplicity that reveals startling complexity in its execution. It excels as a physics playground, where every level is a Rube Goldberg machine of cooperative ingenuity, and its art direction and sound design create an irresistible charm. Yet, its legacy is tempered by design inconsistencies—frustrating puzzles and technical quirks—that prevent it from reaching greatness. For fans of local co-op or casual gaming, it’s a must-play, a testament to the joy of shared laughter amid chaos. Historically, it stands as a vibrant, if flawed, entry in the indie canon, a reminder that sometimes the best games aren’t the ones that change the world, but the ones that make you smile while failing spectacularly. In the annals of cooperative gaming, Jelly Express wobbles, but it never falls flat.